Latest news with #Vanashakti


Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Schools, colleges no longer exempt environmental clearances before construction: SC
MUMBAI: Industrial sheds, schools, colleges and hostels for educational institutions will no longer benefit from an exemption from obtaining environmental clearances under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to the structure's construction. The exemption, granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January this year, was struck down by the Supreme Court last week following a petition by city NGO Vanashakti. Schools, colleges no longer exempt environmental clearances before construction: SC A bench of chief justice of India Bhushan R Gavai and justice K Vinod Chandran held that the exemption 'does not appear to be in tune with the purpose for which the Environment Protection Act has been enacted.' The EP Act 1986 was to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, and prevent, control, and stop environmental pollution. The MoEFCC had issued detailed guidelines to the exempted structures to make sure they adhere to environmental regulations. However, the court noted that there was no mechanism in place to check the environmental impact of these structures by an expert body like the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The apex court said that a construction of over 20,000 sq.m will naturally have an effect on the environment and ecology, even if the building is for industrial shed or for educational purposes. The bench said, 'It is common knowledge that education is no more exclusively a service oriented activity and that it has in fact become a flourishing and thriving industry.' The court added that exempting such structures from the rigors of the EIA had no rationale or objective. Vanashakti, a Mumbai-based NGO working to protect the environment, had approached the court challenging the January 2025 Notification of EIA. As per Vanashakti, the new rules of the Act diluted the previous provisions by exempting some construction projects from certain general conditions of the EIA. While the court struck down the exemption regarding environmental clearances before construction, it refused to interfere with the rest of the provisions mentioned in MoEFCC's January Notification. The court noted that the list of general conditions were never applied to construction projects with an area of 20,000sq.m to 150,000 sq.m and townships or area development projects spread over 50 hectares or more or having built-up area of 1.50 lakh sq-mtr or above. The bench said that Indian courts have insisted upon protecting the environment and consistently held that the natural resources are to be guarded by present generations for future generations. 'However, the courts have also consistently taken into consideration the need for developmental activities,' the bench said, adding, 'A country cannot progress unless the development takes place.'


Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Environmental activists serve legal action over celebrations inside SGNP
MUMBAI: A day after writing letters and expressing concerns over the festivities taking place inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), environmental activists on Saturday sent a legal notice to the forest authorities. Mumbai, India. June 05, 2025: Top view of Sanjay Gandhi National Parl and Borivali area of Mumbai Suburban. Mumbai, India. June 05, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Hindustan Times) Representing environmental non-governmental organisations Vanashakti and Yeoor Environmental Society, advocate Ronita Bhattacharya Bector sent the notice to the SGNP director, the additional principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife (West), the principal secretary of the environment department, and the chief secretary of the revenue and forest department. In July, a Kanwar Yatra took place inside the forest, said Rohit Joshi, founder of the Yeoor Environment Society. 'Then again, another religious event took place in August. Soon, the political parties began demanding that the park remain open for idol immersion,' he said. The notice stated that religious festivities, ceremonies, and social gatherings within the SGNP are prohibited by the Bombay High Court to prevent ecological disturbance to wildlife. In an order passed in 2022, the court directed the forest department to prevent any non-forest activities within the national park, which includes idol immersions and processions. It also directed them to take all necessary actions to safeguard the ecology, as SGNP is a protected forest under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. 'The loudspeakers and other activities will harm the wildlife. People dipping into the water or immersing idols in it can threaten the crocodiles, reptiles, and other animals in the water bodies,' said Stalin, director of Vanashakti. 'Even commoners and trekkers are prohibited from going on the Dahisar riverside, but religious people are allowed to bathe in the river as part of their rituals. There should be a uniform law in the park.' Stalin activist demanded the prohibition of these activities and for forest range officers to be deployed to ensure compliance with the high court order. The activists also demand the issuance of a public notice stating that non-forest activities are prohibited in the park. Police should be deployed to ensure enforcement of the laws, Joshi added. 'Failing to do so, a contempt of court petition will be filed.' SGNP director Anita Patil was unavailable for a comment.


Economic Times
06-08-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
SC clears regulatory logjam, paving way for revival of 493 stalled housing projects in Mumbai, Pune
Thousands of homebuyers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune can finally expect delivery of long-delayed homes, as the Supreme Court has cleared a key regulatory roadblock that had stalled approvals for hundreds of residential projects. ADVERTISEMENT The ruling paves the way for construction to resume on 493 stalled developments largely in the affordable and mid-income categories, helping momentum in two of the country's most active housing markets. The apex court, in its judgment on Vanashakti vs Union of India, reaffirmed that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are the appropriate authorities for granting project-level environmental approvals in Maharashtra. The decision settles a jurisdictional conflict triggered by certain central government notifications issued in 2014 and 2016. 'This is a monumental relief for Maharashtra's real estate sector,' said Domnic Romell, president, CREDAI-MCHI, which had approached the court on the matter. 'We initiated this petition to bring clarity to an increasingly ambiguous clearance process, and the Supreme Court has now provided much-needed certainty.'The verdict addresses long-standing uncertainty around environmental clearances that had delayed project approvals and disrupted construction timelines. With clarity now restored, developers are expected to resume work on these projects, unlocking over 70,000 housing units and offering long-awaited relief to affected homebuyers. 'The judgment will not only revive the 493 stalled projects and fasten the delayed supply but also restores homebuyer confidence, introduces liquidity into the market, and restores economic activity across allied industries. Above all, it also underlines a progressive vision where environmental compliance is not diluted but seamlessly combined with development goals,' said Chintan Sheth, CMD, Sheth Realty. ADVERTISEMENT According to him, the balanced approach between sustainability and speed will set an example for future urban growth, allowing on-time deliveries while upholding responsibility towards the Supreme Court struck down Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16 of these notifications, which had proposed the creation of Environmental Cells under local planning authorities to issue clearances. Developers had flagged this framework as inconsistent with the existing SEIAA-SEAC process, raising concerns about delays, overlaps, and confusion. ADVERTISEMENT The court also dismissed the notion of differential treatment for industrial sheds and educational buildings under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, reinforcing the need for uniformity in environmental regulation across all project the regulatory framework now clarified, developers are expected to move quickly to secure approvals and resume stalled work, particularly in high-demand locations across MMR and Pune. The ruling is seen as a timely intervention that will ease supply-side pressures and restore confidence among homebuyers and stakeholders in the state's key urban centres. ADVERTISEMENT (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)


Economic Times
06-08-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
SC's environmental nod clarity to revive 493 stalled projects, bring relief to homebuyers
The Supreme Court's decision has cleared a major hurdle for 493 stalled housing projects in Mumbai and Pune, paving the way for construction to resume. This ruling reaffirms the authority of SEIAA and SEAC for environmental approvals, resolving jurisdictional conflicts. It is expected to unlock over 70,000 housing units, boost the real estate sector, and restore confidence among homebuyers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Thousands of homebuyers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune can finally expect delivery of long-delayed homes, as the Supreme Court has cleared a key regulatory roadblock that had stalled approvals for hundreds of residential ruling paves the way for construction to resume on 493 stalled developments largely in the affordable and mid-income categories, helping momentum in two of the country's most active housing apex court, in its judgment on Vanashakti vs Union of India, reaffirmed that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are the appropriate authorities for granting project-level environmental approvals in Maharashtra. The decision settles a jurisdictional conflict triggered by certain central government notifications issued in 2014 and 2016.'This is a monumental relief for Maharashtra's real estate sector,' said Domnic Romell, president, CREDAI-MCHI, which had approached the court on the matter. 'We initiated this petition to bring clarity to an increasingly ambiguous clearance process, and the Supreme Court has now provided much-needed certainty.'The verdict addresses long-standing uncertainty around environmental clearances that had delayed project approvals and disrupted construction timelines. With clarity now restored, developers are expected to resume work on these projects, unlocking over 70,000 housing units and offering long-awaited relief to affected homebuyers.'The judgment will not only revive the 493 stalled projects and fasten the delayed supply but also restores homebuyer confidence, introduces liquidity into the market, and restores economic activity across allied industries. Above all, it also underlines a progressive vision where environmental compliance is not diluted but seamlessly combined with development goals,' said Chintan Sheth, CMD, Sheth to him, the balanced approach between sustainability and speed will set an example for future urban growth, allowing on-time deliveries while upholding responsibility towards the Supreme Court struck down Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16 of these notifications, which had proposed the creation of Environmental Cells under local planning authorities to issue clearances. Developers had flagged this framework as inconsistent with the existing SEIAA-SEAC process, raising concerns about delays, overlaps, and court also dismissed the notion of differential treatment for industrial sheds and educational buildings under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, reinforcing the need for uniformity in environmental regulation across all project the regulatory framework now clarified, developers are expected to move quickly to secure approvals and resume stalled work, particularly in high-demand locations across MMR and Pune. The ruling is seen as a timely intervention that will ease supply-side pressures and restore confidence among homebuyers and stakeholders in the state's key urban centres.


Time of India
06-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SC's environmental nod clarity to revive 493 stalled projects, bring relief to homebuyers
Thousands of homebuyers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune can finally expect delivery of long-delayed homes, as the Supreme Court has cleared a key regulatory roadblock that had stalled approvals for hundreds of residential projects. The ruling paves the way for construction to resume on 493 stalled developments largely in the affordable and mid-income categories, helping momentum in two of the country's most active housing markets. The apex court, in its judgment on Vanashakti vs Union of India, reaffirmed that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are the appropriate authorities for granting project-level environmental approvals in Maharashtra. The decision settles a jurisdictional conflict triggered by certain central government notifications issued in 2014 and 2016. 'This is a monumental relief for Maharashtra's real estate sector,' said Domnic Romell, president, CREDAI-MCHI, which had approached the court on the matter. 'We initiated this petition to bring clarity to an increasingly ambiguous clearance process, and the Supreme Court has now provided much-needed certainty.' The verdict addresses long-standing uncertainty around environmental clearances that had delayed project approvals and disrupted construction timelines. With clarity now restored, developers are expected to resume work on these projects, unlocking over 70,000 housing units and offering long-awaited relief to affected homebuyers. 'The judgment will not only revive the 493 stalled projects and fasten the delayed supply but also restores homebuyer confidence, introduces liquidity into the market, and restores economic activity across allied industries. Above all, it also underlines a progressive vision where environmental compliance is not diluted but seamlessly combined with development goals,' said Chintan Sheth, CMD, Sheth Realty. According to him, the balanced approach between sustainability and speed will set an example for future urban growth, allowing on-time deliveries while upholding responsibility towards the environment. The Supreme Court struck down Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16 of these notifications, which had proposed the creation of Environmental Cells under local planning authorities to issue clearances. Developers had flagged this framework as inconsistent with the existing SEIAA-SEAC process, raising concerns about delays, overlaps, and confusion. The court also dismissed the notion of differential treatment for industrial sheds and educational buildings under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, reinforcing the need for uniformity in environmental regulation across all project types. With the regulatory framework now clarified, developers are expected to move quickly to secure approvals and resume stalled work, particularly in high-demand locations across MMR and Pune. The ruling is seen as a timely intervention that will ease supply-side pressures and restore confidence among homebuyers and stakeholders in the state's key urban centres.